You may remember Hasama Underwater Park, a praised diving spot in Japan that houses an underwater Shinto shrine (a specially opened extension of the Susaki Shrine) that boasts whale sharks, sunfish, and other exotic marine wildlife that swirl around the sunken torii gate--as well as a spot to drink coffee underwater. One diver, Hiroyuki Arakawa, entrusted with maintenance and care taking of the shrine, has a particularly special relationship with the fish down there, however. He's been rendezvousing with his fish friend Yoriko, an Asian sheepshead wrasse, for the past 25 years!

A standard greeting between Arakawa and Yoriko

Arakawa's chance meeting with the ailing Yoriko, who was too weak to eat on her own, has blossomed into a touching friendship spanning decades. He found the ailing fish nearby the shrine while working it one day, and took to feeding her crabs to take care of her. Ever since she recovered, all it takes is the sound of Arakawa working on the shrine for Yoriko to swim up to him for rubs and kisses. Watch and listen to their heartwarming story here, via The Great Big Story and All Nippon Airways:

Here's a clip of their routine interactions when Arakawa comes in for a day at work on the shrine--you can clearly see how this would be motivation to keep heading to your job!

Perhaps Yoriko expects more food, but Arakawa believes she appreciates the care he showed her, and is showing it in her own special way.